Washing device with rotary scrubber



Nov. 13, 1956 R. R. WALTON 2,770,120

WASHING DEVICE WITH ROTARY SCRUBBER Filed Dec. 28, 1953 nited States Patent O WASHING DEVICE WITH ROTARY SCRUBBER Richard R. Walton, Boston, Mass., assignor to Walton Washing Machine Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 28, 1953, Serial No. 400,568

9 Claims. (Cl. 68-28) The present invention relates to scrubbing and washing devices and is more particularly concerned with a new and improved washer or scrubber for use in a container holding liquid and articles to be washed or scrubbed, the device having a gentle but positive washing or scrubbing action and especially adapted for construction as an independent portable unit apart from the container.

Most washing machines now on the market operate on one of two principles. There are those of the tumbling type, in which the clothes are tumbled in a revolving cylinder and there are those of the conventional agitator type, including a tub with a paddle type agitator therein, oscillaing about a vertical axis. Both types have advantages and disadvantages which are at this time rather well-known: In the tumbling type of washer, all of the clothes are acted upon, but the action is rough and the articles of clothing tend to become tangled. The washing action performed by the tumbling type of washer is by no means ideal. On the other hand, the agitator type of washers, while they tend to be more gentle, nevertheless in most of them the clothes are not circulated sufliciently so that all of them come in contact with the scrubbing member. From researches conducted in the washing of articles of clothing, sheets, towels, etc., it has been found that the most effective action is perhaps performed by the hands of the hand laundress, the suds being squeezed through the clothes and the clothes flexed and rubbed simultaneously. So far as I am aware, no washing machine now on the market even approaches duplicating these actions.

A principal object of the present invention is, therefore, to produce a washer in which the washing action will be as eicient as possible, simulating the operations performed by a hand laundress.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved washing or scrubbing device adapted to produce such an improved but gentle washing or scrubbing action upon the articles being washed without causing tangling thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which is especially adapted for manufacture as a portable unit for temporary use in any convenient tub or container.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a device of the class described a novel rotating scrubbing member which not only scrubs the articles to be washed, but in addition, tends to cause them to circulate in the washing solution so that all portions thereof will eventually be treated by the scrubbing surface.

The invention is featured by the provision of a generally cylindrical hollow scrubbing member with mountings therefor for holding the same upright for rotation about a substantially vertical axis in a convenient container. Within the mountings for the hollow member, preferably there is rotatably held a vertical shaft driven by a suitable motor. One end of this shaft extends substantially to the level of one end of the hollow member, preferably the lower end, and has attached thereto a centrifugal ice impeller for expelling liquid radially outwardly into the container over the edge of the scrubbing member which, in turn, is provided with a series of openings immersed so that liquid exhausted from within it is replenished by liquid pouring in through the openings. The hollow scrubbing member is provided with an external spirally arranged rib for rubbing, gripping and conveying the articles being washed toward the output stream. Means are provided for continuously rotating the scrubbing member and in the preferred embodiment shown such means cornprises a series of angled projections extending from the lower rim of the scrubbing member into the output stream of the centrifugal impeller and angled so as to rotate such member continuously in one direction. The inward ow of liquid through the openings in the scrubbing member draws any articles floating therein against its surface. The spirally arranged rib then serves to grip these articles and, while scrubbing them, to convey them toward the output stream of the impeller. As soon as the articles reach such output stream, they are whirled away from the hollow scrubbing member and then are recirculated in the washing solution so that each article in the wash will eventually be scrubbed over its entire surface. Tangling of the articles is substantially avoided by the novel washing action just described.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a vertical view, for the most part in section, showing my novel device set in a tub; and

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a portion of the washer alone showing especially the downwardly directed angled projections on the hollow scrubbing member for imparting rotational movement to the same.

The novel washing device of the invention is indicated generally by the numeral 10 and comprises a hollow generally circular rotatable scrubbing member 12. The machine is powered by an electric motor 14 on top of which is mounted a suitable handle 16 for carrying purposes. The motor 14 may be connected to a suitable source of electric current by an extension cord 18.

The washer of the invention is adapted to be set in any tub or container 20 containing liquid at a predetermined level, indicated generally by the broken line 22. As will hereinafter become apparent, the size and shape of the container 20 are unimportant since the successful scrubbi'ng and circulating action of the washer is entirely independent of size or shape of the tub.

To the bottom of the motor 14 is fastened a water-tight housing 24 by means of bolts 26. The housing 24 has a downwardly projecting cylindrical sleeve 28 within which rotates the drive shaft 30 driven by the motor 14. Suitable stationary mutually spaced mounting shoulders 32 and 34 are axed to the external surface of the sleeve 28. Similarly attached to the sleeve 28 at the very bottom thereof is a circular mounting plate 36 having openings 38 therein close to the sleeve 28. The plate 36 is separated from the annular shoulder 34 by a cylindrical spacer 35. Near the periphery of the underside of the plate 36 is mounted a series of suction cups 40, in this case three in number, which serve to support the device on the bottom of the container 20 in such a manner as to prevent upsetting.

To the bottom of the drive shaft 30 is keyed a centrifugal impeller 42, the purpose and function of which will hereinafter be explained.

The hollow scrubber 12 is provided with a series of openings 44 in its cylindrical surface. Likewise, it carries on its outer surface a continuous downwardly spiraling rib 46 for scrubbing, gripping and conveying the articles being washed toward the output rstream of the impeller 42. The hollow body i12 is rotatably mounted upon the shoulders 32 and 34 by means of an upper spider 4S and a lower spider 50 'held lto the cylindrical scrubbing member 12 by 4machine screws vS2 and 54 respectively. The spiders '48 and -50 support annular bearing members .56 and SSfrespecti-vely which rest upon the Lledges 32 and 34 in such manner as topermit free rotational'movement of the member `12.

The lower rim of the member 12 is provided with a series -of downwardly directed angled projections 60, which are perhaps best seen fin the bottom view, Fig. 2. All the `projections L60 are angled in the same ldirection so as to be driven by -the radially `outwardly directed liquid Voutput stream of the centrifugal impeller 42 for imparting continuous rotational ymovement to the scrubbing member '12.

The operationof the fnovel scrubbing device of the invention will now be readily apparent. The unit is set in the .tub lwhich is iilled Ito a predetermined level with liquid and articles -to be scrubbed or washed. Since the .unit rests on the suction cups 40, it will fbe stably held and danger of upsetting will .be minimized. A quantity of detergent is 4added to the water, if this be a clotheswashing operation, and the motor 14 started. The impellerAZ will immediately expel liquid from beneath the unit as indicated by the arrows at .the bottom of Fig. l, such liquid being drawn through the openings 38 inthe bottom plate 36 and forced radially outwardly past the angled projections 60. This high velocity radially `outwardly-directed stream impinging upon the angled projections 60 will immediately impart continuous rotational movement .to the member 12 .counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 2. Withdrawal of liquid through the openings 38 lowers the lliquid level -withinthe hollowscrubbing member 12 and liquid .to replace the same -immediatelycommences to pour in through the openings 44 in the scrub- -ber 12. It will .be apparent that flow of liquid into the interior of the hollow scrubber 12 through the openings 44 will produce a current Vof -liquid converging on allsides on the scrubber 12 Vand Vany articles ioating therein will be .brought against the external surface `of the scrubber 12. These ,articles will thereupon be gripped by the rotating rib 46 which, due to its ,downwardspirah will convey the articles Atoward the bottom of the tub 20, while, because of slippage, scrubbing :them at ythe same time. This Adownward conveying ,of `articles is indicated by the vertical broken arrow :just -to the right of the 'hollow member 12 as seen in Fig. :1. dially outwardly directed output stream of the limpeller 42, they will .be whirled out and away from the washer vand their .mode of circulation is generally indicated by the circular arrows in Fig. l.

Generally speaking, I have found that the 'best washing action, using the :novel washer of the invention, may be obtained 'by Eiilling the tub 20 to such a liquid Vlevel that a strong suction appears within the hollow scrubber l2. This liquid level may vary, depending upon the wash load carried by the liquid. To iind the optimum liquid level is a simple matter and with a little practice in using the novel washer unit, no trouble will be experienced.

The washing action performed by the rubbing and .downward conveyance of the articles by the rotating vscrubber 12 is gentle yet thorough .and avoids tangling. Even the iinest fabrics will not be injured and yet the selective action of :the machine -in operating upon lareas of Vthe articles individually makes for thorough washing and no area-of anyarticle-escapes without a gentle scrubbing.

The washing unit .is Vparticularly adapted for use in `portable form as illustrated in the drawings. It is evident, however, that the invention is not vlimited to a portable washing unit and that it is entirely practical to build a so-called integrated washing machine, including 1a tub,

V,automaticcontrols for filling rand emptying the same, etc.,

As soon-as these articles reach -the ral with the novel washing unit comprising the Washing mechanism. Furthermore, vit is clear that the vparticular arrangement of motor, shaft and rotating scrubbing mem-V ber is not critical and it may be found desirable to mount the motor at some other location and that the rotary scrubber may be mechanically driven by the motor rather than actuated by the output stream of the impeller.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as especially adapted for the Washing of articles 4of clothing, Yit will `be appreciated Vthat the novel machine lmay be used for circulating and scrubbing all lkindsof pliable materials which are being treated vwith `a treating solution, as, for example, in the tanning of leather. Therefore, while I have herein 'referredto the apparatus of the invention as a washing t'orscrubbing device, 1 do not intend to limit myself to a domestic clothes washing mechanism, and the claims should be construed to embrace any use to which the device of the invention may be put.

I claim:

1. A scrubbing device -for use iin a container 4holding Vliquid and articles 2to'be scrubbed `comprising a A'generally cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of openings, a mounting'for-said body permitting rotation thereof and supporting the same at a predetermined level within said container, a rotatable shaft mounted centrally yo'f said mounting, and adapted to be driven 'from one end thereof, a portionof said-shaftextendingsubstantially to -the leve'l of the lowerportion of said hollow body, impeller means connected to said -portion of said shaft adapted lto force liquid -radiallyoutwardly `from beneath said hollow body whiledrawing liquid toward and through the openings -in said body to replace the liquid so withdrawn and drawing any articles carried .in said liquid against the outer surface of said body, lmeans for imparting -rotation -to said hollow body during rotation vof -Sa'id shaft, said body Ibeing provided with yat least one external generally spirally arranged rib adapted to convey any articles of -clothing 'incontactftherewithdownwardly towardthe output stream of vsaid impeller rduring rotation orf-said body.

2. A scrubbing device -for -use in a container holding liquid and articles to be scrubbed comprising a generally cylindrical hollow body having a plurality vof openings, a mounting for said :body permitting rotation thereof and supporting the Jsame at a predetermined ylevel -within said container, a rotatable shaft mounted :centrally of 4said mounting, 'the 'bottom end of said shaft extending substantially to the level of =the lower portion of said hollow body, impeller means connected to Athe Ibottom end 4of said shaft adapted to force lliquidiradiallyoutwardly from beneath said hollow body while drawing liquid toward-and through Ythe openingsin said body Ato replace-the liquidso withdrawn and drawing any articles carried Vin said liquid against the outer surface of said'body, and a motor connected in driving relation to said shaft, means for imparting rotation-to said hollow body during operation Aof said motor, said body being provided with Lat least one yexternall generally spirally arranged rib adapted 'to rconvey any articles of clothing in contact therewith downwardly toward :the output stream of said impeller during rotation of said'body.

3. A scrubbing device for use in a container holding liquid and articles to be scrubbed comprising a hollow body having a plurality of openings, a Amounting vfor said body permitting rotation thereof and supporting the-same at a predetermined level within said container, va Vrotatable shaft mounted centrally `of said mounting, the bottom end of said shaft extending substantially to the level of the lower portion of said `hollow body, va centrifugal Aimpeller on the bottom end 'of `said vshaft adapted to force liquid radially outwardly from beneath said hollow body 4while drawing liquid toward and through Athe openings in said body to replace "the liquid so withdrawn and drawing any articles carriedin said 'liquid against the outersurface of said body, .and Aa ,motor `connected 'in driving relation .to

`said shaft, `the l.lower Yportion of said hollow body being Y provided with projections arranged at an angle to the output stream of said impeller for imparting rotation to said hollow body, said body being provided with at least one external generally spirally arranged rib adapted to convey any articles of clothing in contact therewith downwardly toward the output stream of said impeller during rotation of said body.

4. A portable clothes washer adapted to be temporarily placed in a tub, said washer comprising a motor, a housing attached thereto and having a vertically downwardly ex tending sleeve, a shaft rotatably mounted within said sleeve and in driven connection with said motor, mountings at spaced locations on the exterior of said sleeve, a generally cylindrical hollow perforated scrubbing member rotatably held on said mountings, a plate having a central aperture attached to the lower end of said sleeve and surrounding said shaft with a portion of the latter extending therebeneath, the periphery of said plate being closely adjacent the lower edge of said hollow member, and said plate having at least one opening adjacent said aperture, mounting means fastened to said plate for holding said washer upright in said tub and a centrifugal impeller mounted on said protruding end of said shaft and adapted to force liquid radially outwardly from beneath said plate and hollow scrubbing member while drawing liquid lthrough said opening in said plate and the openings in said scrubbing member to replace liquid so withdrawn While drawing any articles carried in said liquid against the outer surface of said member, means for causing rotation of said member during the operation of said motor, said member having at least one external generally spirally arranged rib adapted to convey any articles of clothing in contact therewith downwardly toward the output stream of said impeller during rotation of said hollow member.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 in which said means for causing rotation of said scrubbing member comprise at least one projection on the lower portion of said scrubbing member extending into the output stream of said impeller and arranged at an angle to such stream.

6. A scrubbing device for use in a container holding liquid and articles to be scrubbed comprising a generally cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of openings, a mounting for said body permitting rotation thereof and supporting the same within said container, a shaft mounted within said body and adapted to be driven from one end thereof, at least a portion of said shaft extending substantially to the level of one end of said hollow body, liquid impelling mechanism in driven connection with said extending portion of said shaft and adapted to force liquid radially outwardly beyond said end of said hollow body while drawing liquid from within said body and permitting liquid to pour through said openings in said body to replace the liquid so withdrawn while drawing any articles carried in said liquid against the outer surface of said body, and means for imparting rotation to said hollow body, said body being provided with at least one external generally spirally arranged rib adapted to convey any articles in Contact therewith in the direction of the output stream of said liquid impelling means during rotation of said body.

7. A scrubbing device for use in a container holding liquid and articles to be scrubbed comprising a generally cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of openings, a mounting for said body permitting rotation thereof and supporting the same within said container, a rotatable shaft mounted within said body and adapted to be driven from one end thereof, at least a portion of said shaft extending substantially to the level of one end of said hollow body, a centrifugal impeller mounted upon said extending portion of said shaft and adapted to force liquid radially outwardly beyond said end of said hollow body while drawing liquid from within said body and permitting liquid to pour through said openings in said body to replace the liquid so withdrawn while drawing any articles carried in said liquid against the outer surface of said body, means for imparting rotation to said hollow body during rotation of said shaft, said body being provided with at least one external generally spirally arranged rib adapted to convey any articles in contact therewith in the direction of the output stream of said impeller during rotation of said body.

8. A scrubbing device for use in a container holding liquid and articles to be scrubbed comprising a generally cylindrical hollow scrubbing member which, when the device is in the tub, assumes an upright position with its lower end adjacent the bottom of the tub, said hollow scrubbing member being provided over substantially the whole of its immersed surface with a series of openings, pump means mounted in operative relation to the interior of said hollow scrubbing member for withdrawing liquid from within said hollow member and to expel the same outwardly into the tub over the periphery of one end of said member, thereby causing liquid from the tub to pour through said openings replacing the expelled liquid and at the same time carrying said articles towards said member and pressing portions of the same against its outer surface, and means for imparting rotation to said hollow scrubbing member abolit a generally vertical axis during operation of said pump means, said scrubbing member being provided with at least one external generally spirally arranged gripping surface adapted to convey any of said articles in contact therewith toward the output stream of said pump means during rotation of said scrubbing member.

9. A scrubbing device for use in a container holding liquid and articles to be scrubbed comprising a generally cylindrical hollow scrubbing member which, when the device is in the tub, assumes an upright position with its lower end in spaced relation to the bottom of the tub, said hollow scrubbing member being provided over substantially the whole of its immersed surface with a series of openings, pump means mounted in operative relation to the interior of said hollow scrubbing member for withdrawing liquid from within said hollow member and to expel the same outwardly into the tub beneath the periphery of the lower end of said member, thereby causing liquid from the tub to pour through said openings replacing the expelled liquid and at the same time carrying said articles towards said member and pressing portions of the same against its outer surface, and means for imparting rotation to said hollow scrubbing member about a generally vertical axis during operation of said pump means, said scrubbing member being provided with at least one external generally spirally downwardly arranged gripping surface adapted to convey any of said articles in contact therewith toward the output stream of said pump means during rotation of said scrubbing member.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,927,943 Long Sept. 26, 1933 2,253,989 Skinner Aug. 26, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 583,462 France Oct. 31, 1924 

